Caring for your Invisalign® clear aligners is easy, and it's an important factor when it comes to reaching your treatment goals.
Without proper care, diligent cleaning of your aligners, and regular oral hygiene habits, plaque and bacteria can build up and cause damage to both your teeth and aligners over time.
Keeping Your Aligners Clean
Rinse. Any time you take out your aligners, be sure to rinse them under running water before you put them back in your mouth.
Brush. When it comes time to brush your aligners (at least once or twice a day), never use toothpaste as it will harm them. Only use clear, anti-bacterial soft soap and warm water, and be sure to brush them gently.
Soak. You can soak your aligners in Invisalign's specialized cleaning crystals once a week. These crystals dissolve in water to create a solution for you to soak your aligners in.
Repeat. Following these steps throughout your treatment will help keep your aligners clean and free of the bacteria, plaque, and germs that can grow on them.
Don't eat with your aligners. One of the best parts about Invisalign is that you can take them out when you need to. It is important that you remove them when you eat or drink, otherwise, you could accidentally damage or stain them. The only thing you can consume while still wearing your aligners is water.
Store your Invisalign aligners in their case. Make it a point to keep your aligners in their case at all times. They must return to their case whether you take them out for a meal or just to brush your teeth. If you don't, you run the risk of losing or accidentally breaking your aligners. Just make sure you carry your case with you at all times to keep them safe.
Cleaning Your Teeth
Making sure your teeth are clean will go a long way toward keeping your aligners clean and protecting your oral health.
Regular brushing (at least twice a day) and regular flossing (at least once a day) are important in preventing the buildup of bacteria and plaque that can accumulate under your aligners.
Every time you take out your aligners and put them back in, you should ideally brush and floss your teeth. In the event that this is not possible, make sure to at the very least rinse your mouth and the aligners with water until you can perform your regular cleaning procedure.
Visiting Your Dentist
In addition to regular cleaning of your aligners and teeth, be sure to attend all scheduled appointments with your dentist.
This not only enables your dentist to track the development of your teeth, but it also enables you to make sure that you are maintaining your aligners properly and adhering to your treatment plan.
For more information about Invisalign or how to care for your aligners, contact our dentists at Orthostyle today to book an appointment.
